Page 51 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“Please sit here,” the priest said, pointing to the seats before the holy fire. He began chanting mantras for the yagya and asked us to offer a few herbs to the sacred fire.

“Now, both of you, pray to the deity.” We both stood before god to seek blessings. I closed my eyes, joining my palms,

‘O dear God, nothing is possible in this world without your guidance. Our life in this world is your blessing, and so I am all dependent on you, because I’ve faith in you. Whatever you do, you'll do it right.’

After serving prayers, I touched the feet of Badi Maa and the priest. I turned to his side to touch his feet, but he stopped me mid-way, holding my shoulders. He awkwardly retreated his hands away from my shoulders, and Badi Maa pulled my veil up and looked at him.

She brought the pooja thaali, arranged with vermilion, turmeric, and rice, to him, and I turned my lashes south, feeling giddy when he applied a pinch of vermilion to my hairline. He rubbed my nose with his little finger, probably to clean the vermilion on my nose.

“May god bless you both,” Badi Maa said, and she looked at him.“Your wife has not told me, but I want to know why. Why did you do this?” He abruptly took his steps back and said,

“It was nothing, Badi Maa,” I looked down as she turned her gaze to me.“Now, you should take some rest. I'll have both of yourdinners sent to your chamber,” I walked closer to her and held her hands.

“Badi Maa, I don't like elders working for me.” She smiled at me and gently cupped my cheek.

“I’ll let you do the work when it's time,” I nodded, pursing my lips.“By the way, did I tell you how beautiful you are?” I blushed at her compliment.

“Thank you so much,”

“Now, head back to your chamber,” She said. We both stepped out of the prayer hall with the attendants to return to our chambers, but suddenly, he changed his direction and walked in another direction without saying a word.

The attendants, Suman and I, returned to my chamber, and I lay on the bed, staring at the delicate designs of the ceiling.

I didn't know when sleep took over me, but I woke up when Suman called me.“Nandani, it’s evening already. I think you should wake up.” I nodded at her and stepped out of bed.

Walking towards the mirror, I adjusted my jewellery, hair, and dress, when an attendee brought me food.

“Your dinner is here, Ranisa,” I turned around to her and asked her in a low tone,“Where is Ranaji?”

Well, yeah,‘Ranaji’. I couldn’t call him by his name unless we were alone. We weren't allowed to call our husbands by their names. But since I had always called him by his name, it was tricky to address him as a king. My first step to change after marriage was to stop taking his name in front of others.

“Ranaji is busy with the wounded soldiers. He is helping with their dressings.”

I nodded and asked her,“Has he eaten yet?” She shook her head.“No, Ranisa, he hasn't,”

Though my stomach was rumbling in hunger, it was my first day after the wedding, and it would be inappropriate to eat before he did, especially when he was busy taking care of the soldiers.

I remembered that he once told me how he always ate after every soldier was well-fed. And I was sure, becoming a King wouldn’t bring any change to that.

“Please take the food back. I will wait for him,” I said. She nodded, leaving, and I sat on the couch.

“Suman, sit,” I patted the place beside me, and she asked me slowly.

“What are you thinking?” She asked, and I gave a genuine answer.

“I want to help the soldiers, too. They are wounded, but being a new bride, wouldn't it be too soon to interfere in the matters of the Kingdoms?” I said. She agreed with my point.

“Yes, you're right. Added to that, we don't know who has what kind of intentions towards you,” I nodded and walked towards the window. The moon glowed and the stars glimmered in the night sky, lulling my distressed insides.

I missed my family. There were so many people back home I could talk to. However, I didn’t have anyone here. Since I didn't feel hungry, I told Suman to go to bed, but when I didn't hear her reply, I turned to find her asleep on the couch.

I smiled at her; she must've been tired from all the travelling, so I let her be and covered her with the comforter.

I walked out to the courtyard of the chamber to get some fresh air. Flambeaus and all the lamps were blown out, and no one was around.

When I reached there, I found him lying on his front on the floor. My sight fell on the covered food platter with a bowl of medicinal paste beside it. His upper body wasn't covered, and my heart pained seeing so many wounds all over, some minor but some really deep cuts.

I went closer and sat beside him. Taking the bowl in my hands, I dipped my fingers in the herbal paste and very carefully applied it to his wounds, so as not to wake him up or inflict even a little pain.

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